Erodium plant named &#39;Claret&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  ERODIUM  plant named ‘CLARET’ that is characterized by low compact spreading habit, saturated dark red flowers with prominent deep purple veins and a white eye, and soft gray-green pubescent foliage. In combination these traits set ‘CLARET’ apart from all other varieties of  ERODIUM  known to the inventor.

GENUS

Erodium

SPECIES

×chamaedyoides

DENOMINATION

‘CLARET’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of erodiumplant grown as an ornamental for use in border, rock garden, container,or groundcover for the landscape. Plants of the genus erodium arecommonly known as alpine geraniums or as cranesbill, or storksbill, orheronsbill. The new variety is known botanically asERODIUM×chamaedyoides (the species chamaedryoides is synonymous withreichardii), and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name‘CLARET’.

‘CLARET’ is the product of a formal breeding program established by theinventor in 2000 at the inventor's nursery in Watsonville, Calif. Thepurpose of the breeding program was to produce a novel and useful colorbreak in erodium. The variety of erodium known as ‘Bishop's Form’(unpatented) carries attractive pink-red flowers, and the inventorintended to produce a hybrid of ‘Bishop's Form’ whose flowers would be adeeper and more intense red in color.

‘CLARET’ is a seedling selection arising from the inventor's controlledcross-pollination of an unnamed seedling of the dark red floweredGERANIUM cinereum subcaulescens (species, unpatented) as male parentwith the pink-red flowered variety ERODIUM ‘Bishop's Form’ (unpatented)as female parent.

The breeding process which produced ‘CLARET’ proceeded as follows:

First, in 2000 the inventor transferred pollen from the male parent tothe female parent. Pollination was successful and a small amount seedwas harvested in 2001. The inventor stored the seed for one year, and itwas sown in 2002. The inventor observed the resulting seedlings as theyflowered during the summer of 2002. Only one of the seedlings wasconsidered distinct. This seedling exhibited the characteristic habit ofthe female parent and bore deep red flowers of even greater darkness andsaturation than the male parent. The inventor isolated this one seedlingand allowed it to grow and multiply by natural basal branching. In 2005,at his nursery in Watsonville, Calif., the inventor carried out thefirst asexual reproduction of the grown-on seedling, by taking softwoodcuttings from the spreading crown. The inventor observed the resultingplants and determined that all the plants exhibited the exactcharacteristics of the original selected seedling. The inventor namedthe new plant ‘CLARET’ and has determined that ‘CLARET’ is stable,uniform, and reproduces true to type in successive generations ofasexual propagation.

‘CLARET’ is distinguishable from the female parent by the color of theflower. Whereas the flowers of the female parent are mid-pink in color,the flowers of ‘CLARET’ are deep red in color. The female parent,ERODIUM ‘Bishop's Form’ is also the closest variety of erodium known tothe inventor.

‘CLARET’ is distinguishable from the male parent by habit, flower color,and flower size. Whereas the male parent grows to approximately 20 cm inheight and bears dark red flowers whose diameter is approximately 30 mmto 35 mm, plants of ‘CLARET’ grow only to a height of 6 cm to 8 cm, andthe flowers of ‘CLARET’ are a deeper saturated red in color and areapproximately 22 mm in diameter. In addition, the flowers of ‘CLARET’exhibit a strongly contrasting white “eye” which is typically absent orvery small on flowers of GERANIUM cinereum subcaulescens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed in coastal Californiaand represent the distinguishing characteristics of the variety‘CLARET’.

These traits in combination distinguish ‘CLARET’ from all othervarieties of erodium known to the inventor. The new invention has notbeen tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences maybe observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘CLARET’ exhibits low compact spreading habit.    -   2. ‘CLARET’ exhibits saturated dark red flowers with prominent        deep purple veins and a white eye.    -   3. ‘CLARET’ exhibits soft gray-green pubescent foliage.    -   4. ‘CLARET’ has a long blooming period, profusely from spring to        fall, and sporadically in the rest of the year. It is unusual        for ‘CLARET’ to carry no flowers at all.    -   5. ‘CLARET’ is 6 cm to 8 cm in height and 20 cm. in diameter at        maturity.    -   6. ‘CLARET’ is known to be hardy to USDA Zone 7. Further        hardiness testing (in colder climates) has not yet been        determined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew ERODIUM variety named ‘CLARET’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Theplants in the drawings are 18 months old and have been grown in 2 litercontainers out-of-doors in Watsonville, Calif.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 depicts whole plant of ‘CLARET’.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flower andfoliage of ‘CLARET’. Colors in the photographs may differ from thevalues cited in the detailed botanical description, which accuratelydescribe the actual colors of the new ERODIUM variety named ‘CLARET’.All photographs are taken using conventional photographic techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new ERODIUM cultivar‘CLARET’. Data was collected in Santa Barbara, Calif. from 18-month-oldplants which had been grown out-of-doors in 2-litre containers inWatsonville, Calif. Color determinations are in accordance with The 2001Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart of London, England except wheregeneral color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Thegrowing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: ERODIUM×chamaedyoides ‘CLARET’.-   Family: Geraniaceae.-   Genus: ERODIUM.-   Species: ×chamaedyoides (synonym: xreichardii.)-   Denomination: ‘CLARET’.-   Common names: Alpine geranium, Cranesbill, Heronsbill, Storksbill.-   Parentage: ERODIUM×chamaedyoides ‘CLARET’ is a seedling selection    arising from the deliberate cross-pollination of the following    parents:    -   -   Female parent.—GERANIUM cinereum subcaulescens.        -   Male parent.—ERODIUM ‘Bishop's Form’.-   Plant type: Perennial.-   Plant use: Border, rock garden, container or groundcover for the    landscape.-   Plant vigor: Moderate.-   Root system: Shallow taproot, approximately 8 cm long; secondary    roots fine and fibrous.-   Plant habit: Low, compact and spreading.-   Plant dimensions: 6 cm-8 cm. in height and 22 cm. in diameter.-   Plant hardiness: USDA Zone 5.-   Seasonal interest: Bright fuchsia-red flowers spring, summer, and    fall.-   Asexual propagation method: Softwood cuttings and division.-   Special needs: Cut back after flowering to induce fresh flush of    foliage and flowers.-   Cultural requirements: Freely-draining soils, full sun, and adequate    but not excess water.-   Rooting time: 4-6 weeks in soil and air temperatures between 15° C.    and 25° C.-   Crop time: A range of 4-6 months is needed to produce a finished    1-litre commercial container plant from a rooted cutting.-   Susceptibility or resistance to pests and disease: No known    susceptibility or resistance to pests or diseases known to the    inventor.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching pattern.—Initially, compact basal rosette, then            growing with semi-erect and decumbent many-branched stems.        -   Stem shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Stem color.—146C.        -   Stem surface.—Pubescent.        -   Stem length.—Average of 3 cm.        -   Stem diameter.—Average of 3 mm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf division.—Palmate.        -   Leaf shape.—Reniform.        -   Leaf base.—Auriculate.        -   Leaf apex.—Rounded apex.        -   Leaf margin.—Palmatifid margin.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Combination of colors N138B.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—143A.        -   Leaf surface (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Pubescent.        -   Leaf appearance (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Soft velvety            appearance.        -   Leaf length.—Ranges from 15 mm to 18 mm.        -   Leaf width.—Ranges from 14 mm to 18 mm.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnipalmate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surface).—N138B.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—143A.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole length.—Ranges from 2.0 cm. to 4.0 cm.        -   Petiole diameter.—1 mm.        -   Petiole shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Color of petiole.—Ranges between N144A and N144C.        -   Petiole surface.—Pubescent.        -   Stipules.—None observed.        -   Foliar fragrance.—None observed.-   Flower:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Umbel.        -   Flower quantity.—2 flowers per inflorescence.        -   Flower arrangement.—Cymule.        -   Flower shape.—Rotate.        -   Flower dimensions.—22 mm in diameter and 8 mm. in depth.        -   Aspect.—Facing upward and outward.        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Readily self-cleaning.        -   Flower color.—Both 61 A and 61 B are individually present.            Flower has eye, 145D, diameter approximately 4 mm.        -   Petals.—Five in number.        -   Petal dimensions.—10 mm. in length and 9 mm. in width.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal apex.—Emarginate.        -   Petal base.—Cuneate.        -   Petal shape.—Obcordate.        -   Petal surface (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Petal color (both surfaces).—61A and 61B both present. 2 mm            basal portion 145D and forms “eye” of flower.        -   Petal veins.—Pronounced radial and branching, color (both            surfaces) N79B.        -   Peduncle shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Peduncle surface.—Pubescent.        -   Peduncle length.—Ranges from 4.0 cm. to 4.5 cm.        -   Peduncle diameter.—0.75 mm.        -   Peduncle color.—173A.        -   Pedicel shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Pedicel surface.—Lanate.        -   Pedicel colour.—173A.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—15 mm-18 mm in length and 0.75 mm in            diameter.        -   Stipules (at junction of pedicel and peduncle).—3 in number.        -   Stipule dimensions.—1.5 mm-2.0 mm in length and 1.5 mm. in            width.        -   Stipule surface.—Pubescent.        -   Stipule shape.—Ensiform.        -   Stipule apex.—Acuminate.        -   Stipule base.—Truncate.        -   Stipule colour.—146D.        -   Bud color.—143A.        -   Bud shape.—Ovoid.        -   Bud surface.—Villous.        -   Bud dimensions.—5 mm. in length and 2.5 mm. in width.        -   Bud apex.—Rounded.        -   Calyx shape.—Stellular.        -   Calyx diameter.—13 mm.        -   Sepals.—5 in number, persistent.        -   Sepal dimensions.—7 mm. in length and 2 mm. in width.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal surface.—Villous.        -   Sepal shape.—Ovate.        -   Sepals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Sepal apex.—Aristate.        -   Sepal base.—Truncate.        -   Sepal color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—143A.        -   Flower fragrance.—None observed.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Ten stamens (5 fertile stamens alternating with 5            shorter sterile staminodes, all united at base.        -   Stamen color.—155A.        -   Stamen dimensions.—Fertile stamens 5 mm in length and            approximately 0.5 mm in diameter; staminodes 2.5 mm in            length and slightly thicker than fertile stamens.        -   Pistil.—One in number.        -   Pistil shape.—Urn-shaped.        -   Pistil color.—155A.        -   Pistil height.—3 mm. in height.        -   Pollen quantity.—Minimal.        -   Pollen color.—15C.        -   Anther color.—15C.        -   Stigma shape.—5-pronged.        -   Stigma color.—1A.        -   Stigma dimensions.—1.5 mm. in diameter.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary color.—150B.        -   Ovary shape.—Ovoid in shape.        -   Ovary dimensions.—2.0 mm. in height and 1.5 mm. in width.-   Seed: No seed has been observed to date.

1. A new and distinct variety of ERODIUM plant named ‘CLARET’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.